Eight weeks old and no tummy time

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I’ve hardly given my eight week old baby any tummy time so far - all he’s done is lie on me on his chest. He can lift his head upwards and from side to side in this position.

My question is, have I disadvantaged my baby by not doing any tummy time beyond this and will he now be behind where he should be in terms of his development?

I’ve been quite overwhelmed with becoming a mum and feel I’m only recently getting to grips with everything, which is why I haven’t done as much TT as I should have

At this age time on your chest is just as good as tummy time and much more palatable for small babies. My DD didn't tolerate tummy time on the actual floor until a few months old she would just lay and cry, health visitors said time on my chest was just as good!

You're definitely not hindering their development x

If he's lying on you on his chest , I would think that counts as tummy time; I don't think you've disadvantaged your baby at all. Enjoy the cuddles!

My kids both loathed tummy time and had lots of time on my chest. Both earlyish crawlers and walkers, so it did no harm.

I think my son could only tolerate it for a really short period of time at that age. What made it better for him was a tummy time pillow, but you could achieve the exact same thing with a rolled up towel or a travel pillow.

My DS hated tummy time and I could never remember to do it anyway he crawled at eight months and walked at 12 so didn't harm him

Bless you. It's bloody tough in the first few months isn't it.

Sounds like you're doing a fab job! 8 weeks is still tiny and chest is just as good as floor for tummy time at that age. In fact, probably better as I found mine forgot super upset and frustrated on their own on the floor.

It's just so they're not on their backs for any prolonged lengths of time - to help prevent flat head and build muscles. So sounds perfect doing that whilst snuggling.

You're doing a fab job, OP

My DD is 2 weeks old and the health visitor told me last week that I should be doing tummy time every day already.

I said the only tummy time she has is on me at the moment, her reply was well it's time to get the playmat out!

I still haven't done it with her, there's plenty of time yet. Good job she's my 4th and I'm not worried that I have to do everything the health visitor says!

Your baby will be fine, my first DD absolutely hated tummy time & screamed whenever I tried so it didn't happen much.

What @Knittedfairies said.

Relax and enjoy

@jurassicshay my baby was still all curled up at 2 weeks! It would have been pointless!

@Letsallscreamatthesistene exactly, I'm spending our time cuddling which is what you should be doing with a 2 week old not bloody tummy time.

Never did tummy time with my daughter, as she had reflux.

She's now 3 1/2 and completely unaffected.

Please don't worry

I had the same conversation with my HV my son hates tummy time. She said although it’s good practice when on your chest it’s best that they’re on the floor because new research suggests the motion of crossing over their hands when exploring is important for brain development (no idea how). Don’t beat yourself up though I’m sure it won’t have impacted your dc.

Tt def wasn't a 'thing' when older dc were around. Ds walked at 9 months.
Dgs never had it more recently and he walked at 8 months!!
Nobody disadvantaged here from not doing it!!
Enjoying your new baby is the most important thing right now.

Was anxious about tummy time with my first. With the second, I was too busy running after a toddler to even think about it. Your baby will be totally fine whether you do tummy time or not. Those first few weeks are hard! You’re doing awesomely.

Thanks for putting my mind at rest!

You’re doing fine. Tummy time wasn’t a thing when my kids were small, and yet they both held their head up at an appropriate time. It’s just yet something else that someone’s given a label to, which leads new mums to get anxious when it’s something you don’t have to worry about. Keep doing what you’re doing😊

My son is 4 months old and hates timmy time. He can manage about 2 minutes before losing his shit. Hes got excellent head control and his back is getting stronger all the time. My mum said tummy time wasnt as big back when I was a baby and I can roll over, hold my head up and walk xx

For small babies and new mums cuddling is fab .. my dc didn't like tummy time much until a bit older than 8 weeks but think I started doing it about 9ish just little bits put interesting black and white visuals or moving things just slightly above eyeline ..,I put an extra fleece blanket/ foam mats under the play mat as floor really hard ...,
Little and often I was told so after a nap when 'awake' not when tired/hungry' also after nappy change ...hth

I'll be honest, I don't give my daughter who is 4months enough tummy time. She hates it, and only tolerates it for about a minute before kicking off. She has most of her tummy time on my chest, and has really good control of her head and neck when I hold her up and carry her around.

She rolled over for the first time yesterday 👏
Although I know tummy time is important, it's not the end of the world if your baby doesn't do it every day. Like other posters have said, it doesn't have to be on mat. You can find other ways to work those muscles😊

DS hated it but went in the carrier daily for the dog walk

And spent most of his time on my chest otherwise